Don't turn your back on the year that opened up your creativity

2020 introduced all of us to a new way of living. Coronavirus shook the world and dumped everything we knew upside down. Civil rights protests, radical political movements, and city shutdowns led to levels of uncertainty not seen in decades. But not all was lost in this sea of doubt. 

Don't turn your back on the year that opened up your creativity. I feel for those figuring out how to live during a pandemic. Is it safe to go out? Where can I go? Do masks work? Is the vaccine safe? There were a lot of unanswered questions. Logging into social media only seemed to lead to more confusion. I knew this was a big opportunity to redirect my energy and focus on something more productive. 

That is when I was able to shift gears and bring a writing project to life. I turned surviving into thriving. I was getting up every morning optimistic about opportunities. I wasn't going to work for someone else each morning, I was truly working for me. Money wasn't the goal or focus of my decision-making. Writing and art saved my life. It showed me what I want to do for my life's work. I was a writer. And it was fucking incredible. 

There are always reasons present to not do something. It was the way of life for so many. There was judgment cast if you stayed in or if you ventured out. Criticism rained over those who wore masks and on those who didn't. Everything sparked resistance from somewhere. It brought some closer while pushing others away. It was difficult to just be. 

This doesn't negate the tragedy that existed for so many people. Deaths, sickness, and loss changed families forever. 

This pandemic has taught me a lot about life and I know I'm lucky to be able to share positive experiences during this time. Gravitate towards the light while in the darkness. That is how I'm going to move in all facets of life moving forward. We are unable to control a lot of what comes our way. Create because it is what lies within us. Produce meaningful work to satisfy yourself. The rest will fall into place.

Thanks and much love!

M.G.

Mental health a top priority during pandemic

During times of crisis, it may be best to return to the basics. There is no question many of us in the world, literally, the world, are going through tough times. The struggle for many is real. There is also a part of the population that is fighting a battle you may not even see. Depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, to name a few, are a battle that challenges every aspect of one's life. It can be crippling to get out of bed or stay focused on a task at work without a possible panic attack. Especially during a global pandemic. 

It is imperative to do everything within our ability to help set ourselves up for success. That includes being conscious and deliberate in a consistent routine. We have seen there is a lot that is going on around that we are unable to control. Let's start with some tips on creating a wellness routine to help soothe your mood and contribute to healthy decisions that become a lifestyle. 

Sleep: It will be important to get a thorough, REM stage navigating, an uninterrupted evening of rest. I said important, as many of you might have read or thought impossible! It may seem that way for some of you but continue to make this a priority each night and to start each day with 6-8 hours of rest minimum. 

Bathe: Begin each day in water one way or another. There is a great flow of energy within water that we benefit from greatly. It feels nice to be clean and dried off to greet the day. Don't be afraid to experiment with essential oils, conditioners, and other natural products that can help hydrate our skin and repair damaged or dry skin/hair. 

Clothes: Clean clothes to wear each day will make a lasting impression with how generally confident you are around others. We all know what it feels like to know we are not wearing something fresh out of the dryer. There isn't a requirement to wear designer collections every day. Make it a priority to stay on top of piles of laundry throughout the week. It adds up. 

Activity: Movement is the goal. Get your body and blood moving early. This is going to be different for most people. But there are solutions in every circumstance to find a way. Create ways that may go missed on most days. Park a little further away. Take the stairs. Get up earlier to stretch before your shower. You can get very creative in city or rural environments. 

Creativity: Express yourself in any way possible that you desire. The beauty is there are many forms of art, music, dance, and expression. Find a way to say it. This will help your well being and positively affect your relationships. It will spark your unique gifts. It will ground you and give you tangible evidence that you're capable of more than you may generally feel. It will feed your heart to do this for yourself daily. 

Diet: This may be tougher for most during this time as I recognize many may be in financial distress and will have to make resources allow them to survive. We will be kind to ourselves during this time if choices are recognized as not the best but what must be done. Do the absolute best we can with what we do put into our bodies. Including drinking lots of clean water every day. 

Meditation:  Spending time in silence, unplugged from electronics, and focused on the present state of mind is extremely healing. It can be intimidating to some and is not easy. There are many forms of meditation. Guided meditation may help those who are newer and unsure of how to practice on their own. Meditation with nature sounds, flowing water, or light rain may really help. Consciously receiving and soaking in all sounds around you to be aware of what is around us to get us out of our state of worry or depression. There are many more as well. Don't be afraid to try different styles as you may find one will particularly work best for you. The benefits are incredible with consistent meditation. We can create new neuron activity and make new brain associations with an optimistic future while being able to respond to positive thought. 

These are the top areas of concentration for a daily routine that all of us can at least attempt to carry out no matter where we live. When we have the resources we should try to attempt to rest at night, get a shower or take a bath, regularly do laundry, exercise daily, expression through a hobby like art, music, dance, be in thought during silence, and try to make good food choices. 

None of this is a secret or new. The challenge is to do it over and over again. This could set up the consistency which can extend into improving other areas of our lives. Please give yourself a chance to commit to yourself with these practices during Covid-19 measures. 

Do whatever is available to you through research in your county of your state to find out what resources are available to get into a behavioral health facility for inpatient/outpatient treatment. Many may not realize how many federal, state, and local resources there are for mental health needs. The RESOLVE Network nationwide helpline is 1-866-668-2566. That will be a great place to start. Be well kind world. 

Michael B. George 

Here's what they think about you

Fred Hampton speaking at a Chicago Black Panther Rally

   Before you attempt to discredit victims of social injustice, question methods of protest, and quickly insert a narrative of "get over it", please consider this.

   Since 1975 there has been a government building in Washington D.C. with the name J. Edgar Hoover on it. This is the racist scumbag who drafted the illegal surveillance program through the FBI named COINTELPRO. I will let the words of J. Edgar Hoover himself explain what the program was about:

   "The purpose of this new counterintelligence endeavor is to expose, disrupt, misdirect, or otherwise neutralize the activities of black nationalist, hate-type organizations and groupings, their leadership, spokesmen, membership, and supporters."

   This program ran from 1956-1971 and was directly related to the assassinations of prominent African American leaders in socio-economic reform, anti-war protests, educational equality, self-defense groups, religious leaders, just to name a few. COINTELPRO also led to the imprisonment of so many members of those aforementioned groups in an effort to:

   "Prevent the rise of a 'messiah' who could unify and electrify the militant black nationalist movement." - J. Edgar Hoover

   What does the government of the United States of America do? Let's name the Federal Bureau of Investigation building after him! And you still want to question why people are protesting? Let that sink in for a minute and let me answer that question with a question.

   How would you feel if the person responsible for the framework of a program that murdered a member of your family, a prominent member of your church, a teacher in your school, the father of your children, had a federal building named after him?

   Fast forward to today in an effort to see the racial divide continues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the city is fighting for justice. On Tuesday, June 19, Antwon Rose II was the victim of a shooting death while fleeing a traffic stop. East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld fired three shots that hit Rose in the face, elbow, and back.



Antwon Rose II

   In an official statement issued by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. in regards to the shot in the back, "That's the fatal shot."

   Officer Michael Rosfeld, 30, has been charged with criminal homicide and posted an unsecured bond of $250,000 being released on his own recognizance.

   The game is underway. This becomes a very delicate situation as precedent has been set unfortunately in these situations. A neighbor had recorded a very clear video of the shooting that at this time has over 150,000 views on Facebook. There have been notable cases in the past with clear video evidence of police misconduct that led to not guilty verdicts.

   In 1992 LAPD officers Stacey Koon, Laurence Powell, Timothy
Wind and Theodore Briseno were acquited of use of excessive force charges in the brutal beating of Rodney King. Video evidence recorded by a neighbor at the time of the traffic stop was available and used in court. On November 22, 2014, 12-year-old Tamir Rice was shot and killed at a Cleveland playground by Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann with partner Frank Garmback present. A nearby surveillance video captured the incident and no charges were filed against the officers. The Rice family did win a wrongful death suit and awarded $6 million dollars.

   History has not been kind to victims of police brutality and officer-involved shootings. There is a lingering stench from the situations mentioned and also the many more that weren't.

   The other ticky situation is the proper way to charge a case like that of the East Pittsburgh Police Officer Michael Rosfeld. As we have learned through the trial that acquitted George Zimmerman of the murder of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin of Florida. It wasn't even the fact that if Zimmerman had killed Martin which was established, it then became the process and if the premeditated intent was there in the act of shooting an unarmed minor. As we now know, this process of charging Zimmerman with 2nd Degree Murder proved to be a mistake as his self-defense stance held up in court.

   There are so many factors alive and in play right now with the city of Pittsburgh, it's surrounding communities, and the rest of the world's fight for justice for all. Fight hard, fight smart and may grace be on your side. As long as our government etches the name J. Edgar Hoover as a symbol on the current FBI building, it is fair to guess which side of the coin of justice our "system" is on.

In the Fight for What is Right, the Color of Your Skin Does Not Matter

 


  I am not a self-hating white man. Racism is real. White privilege does exist.

  Now that that is out of the way, I think it is very important to examine what is going on in our society and the polarizing actions of our police, political leaders, judicial system and corporate executives. This is a tough time in America, but the sad reality is that this is nothing new. This may be confusing to many. It depends on, not only which part of this country you live, but the color of one's skin. Do not let the title of this piece be misleading, the color of your skin most definitely does matter. That is apparent in the tragedies going on right now. Innocent, unarmed citizens losing their lives at the hands of trigger happy police, professional athletes receiving death threats for peaceful and silent protests, wildly inappropriate lengthy sentencing going on in our courts, as well as racist behavior from our political leaders. There is one common denominator in who is affected the most in all of the situations listed above. African-Americans are unfairly paying the price for simply being black or brown. I understand this is a very strong accusation to make. I have the confidence to say this because of the empirical evidence surrounding all of these situations. To name some of the people who are no longer able to take a breath because of being murdered by police actions or while in custody since 2012: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Jonathan Ferrell, John Crawford, Ezell Ford, Laquan McDonald, Akai Gurley, Eric Harris, Walter Scott, Freddie Gray, Sandra Bland, Samuel DuBose, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.

  The color of our skin should not limit our involvement in fighting against injustice. This is about the truth and recognition of a major problem in our society. I understand that there is level of respect involved for white individuals who approach these situations with good intentions. There is vernacular that must be consciously adjusted when entering these situations and a very big understanding of avoiding belittling the struggle of others by saying things like we and us. There is no getting around that this is a very difficult arena to enter into for a lot of people. But, I do not want to see people simply avoid standing up for what is right and getting involved because of the fear of not being politically correct. I will not accept an excuse that,  "I don't want to make things worse" or "I do not know what to say and how to say it without pissing people off." The greatest accomplishments in the history of our nation have been done with tremendous resistance. You name the amazing feat and it won't take you more than a few seconds to do a Google search and find results of who opposed it. Our generation should be working together to teach and learn from each other and use history as a resource to right the wrongs of our past. If you live in a community where you are not experiencing the horrible tragedies that dominate the news, I will challenge you to do the best that you can to understand what is happening. Just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean that it isn't happening.

  This is a time for many of us to get involved and one of the most powerful places to start is to listen! This is a time to showcase empathy and offer an ear to those who are misunderstood, targeted and unfairly pushed to the side by our society. If someone is passionately fighting for something that you don't understand, please support them by showing a genuine care for what is going on. A good start is asking a person who is hurting and protesting, "Why do you feel this way?" The conversation needs to be happening to close the gap between those who are in the streets marching and those in the suburbs watching from afar. Don't tell someone, "Yeah I understand," ask them, "Can you help me understand?"

  The support from the white communities is necessary to make this a lasting change for future generations on which to build. Sometimes, it isn't a matter of solving the problem. This problem has been present since day 1. But, we have the power to make it better for our children, and hopefully they can make it better for their children, and so on. This is a sacrifice that doesn't even scratch the level of sacrifices that the African ancestors had to make under the circumstance of their arrival into this country. Our entire economy that we are thankful to be a part of and quote as the greatest nation in the world, was built by the enslaved Africans.

  This is our fight. This is all of our fight. Truth, love and happiness doesn't have a color. I strongly advise everyone to get involved and play our part to make our time on this Earth as productive as humanly possible. Do not think because you are white that you can't help. That is not true and I must say that the powerful black men and women in my life are the reason I am writing this article. I know that we all have the same objective. Together we will not tolerate unjust violence, we will protect communities. We will stand up for the safety of all, women, children, man and animals.

  "There has never been a successful revolution in the history of the world without our women right by our side blasting their guns and fighting with all of us!" - Immortal Technique. Think about that for a second and how powerful that is. Let's be the generation that has all race, ethnicity and gender uniting to fight for what is right! Fighting for the human rights of everyone! Fighting for what is right. Our skin color shouldn't dictate if we are in the game or on the sideline. We are all in the game. Let's get together and make this a better place to live and prosper for everyone.

  My heart goes out to the families and communities of every victim of wrongful death at the hands of police. Positive energy and vibrations to everyone out there in the streets, from every city in this country, who has had their lives changed forever. Tonight in Charlotte, North Carolina and the surrounding areas, be safe. Rest in power Mr. Keith Lamont Scott.

 

Solo debut album Travel Through by Moemaw Naedon - Review

artwork by: Ronnie Hicks


  I'm very excited to present my review of the solo debut album, Travel Through, from Moemaw Naedon out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Surface Level Records.  This is the third album that Naedon has been a part of, but his first solo LP which was executive produced by Billy Hoyle.  The previous two releases, Gallactic Brethren with Brother Seamus and Circular Signals with The Latebloomer were phenomenal albums that I recommend you go get!  I must say that I am very impressed with Moemaw Naedon's ability to give each of his projects their own identity and listening experience while maintaining the substance and core style that has you there as a fan to begin with.  That is very, very difficult to do.  I have been a huge fan of artists with commercial success that have been unable to give you multiple albums that stand on their own which can seperate themselves from previous works while maintaining their flair.  I really feel that Travel Through really lets you in to the creative world and ability of Naedon.

  Track 1, Idle at the Edge, starts off with a little taste of what is coming with a smooth and simple start.  Track 3, Grass Blades, really jumps out and grabs you!  Very powerful sound that actually reminded me of Blackalicious Rhyme Like a Nut at first. I really liked this line, "Grass blades, sharks in the caves, what's the next vessel when the body parts ways from the light that you hold long term in the maze, soul searching sound waves."  Beautiful.  Then Track 4, Travel Through, really maintains the energy and flow with a wicked beat that has some really nasty drums.  It tails down into a very dark backdrop that is intoxicating.  Very interesting progression that I dig very much.  Track 5, Digital Wolf, takes you on a wild ride in which I picture Kool Keith appearing in a rabbit suit asking you if you are ready to see just how deep the hole goes.  Track 7, A Quarter Day Ago, is a super smooth jam that leaves you with your mean face on bobbing your head to each word smiling just waiting to say ooohhhhhhh, "Late night, planned flight trying to get the plan right, reflections in the day shape the feelings that I can't fight" as the words fade and perfectly paced piano takes over.  Track 9, From the Start, has a strong beat that made feel back to the days as a teenager bumping jams in your ride with a system just letting that baseline ride out on full blast letting that clean rumble provide the soundtrack to your evening.  That was a great way to end this certified banger!  This is definitely done with high integrity to the real Hip Hoppa and I know many will agree with me when they give this a listen to.  Go out and get it!


Go to the links below to get yourself a copy of this great Hip Hop album you will be blasting on the regular.

Free Download Track: Travel Through

Purchase Album on iTunes

Purchase Album on Amazon

Follow Moemaw Naedon on Facebook

Enjoy,
M.G.

The Soul Pros are Your Prescription for Funk

   I have been very happy to have the opportunity to have lived in Denver, Colorado over this past year.  It is a beautiful city with a booming economy and tons of great shows going on all of the time.  I was able to find my favorite hip hop group in Colorado, The Soul Pros, and have enjoyed every performance since that time.  In my opinion they are the front-runner in regards to adhering to the high standards of genuine Hip Hop culture.  The group consists of Aaron Ladley AKA DJ A-L, emcees Mike Wird and Pavlo Kee.  Their name actually does them justice as these three young men have plenty of soul incase you're lacking that key ingredient in your life.  They are a real throwback to the days of having dance parties, graffiti, cyphers and DJ's just getting funky with break beats.  They have performed live art/ dance party shows that are some of the most fun I've ever had dancing and smiling for an evening.  All the elements are well represented when they are in the house!  You will see Mike Wird during a set pass the mic and jump out into the B-Boy circle and get down!!  These are some very conscious smart cookies here too, as Pavlo earned his doctorate recently in Environmental Engineering.



  An interesting personal story that really made me smile was during the first show I attended at Goosetown Tavern, I was introduced to Mike Wird before the show started and when I said I was from Pittsburgh he automatically said, "J-Sands is my man!!!"  I definitely perked up and said I'm in the right place right now.  For those of you reading this and are unfamiliar with J-Sands, please look him up as well as the Lone Catalysts, you won't be sorry.  They have one the most vibrant stage shows I have been to and have thoroughly enjoyed the energy and substance they bring.  They are true fans of music and understand what it means to represent in front of an audience and engage with them.  I can't tell you how many times DJ A-L has made me lost my shit and jumped into a B-Boy circle with very high level dancers.  Not giving a care in the world, just reacting to the vibes of some great soul and funk music.  That is what it's about.  Losing yourself in the moment and just being.  I think we all need that in our lives and I appreciate the way they master their craft.  I have also met some incredible people over the time of attending shows and getting down with these guys.



They have the support from one of my all-time favorite people in Hip Hop, A.C. The Program Director, the founder of HipHipPhilosophyRadio.com and former B-Boy for the world famous L.A. Breakers and current protector of the funk as a DJ and host of his powerful radio show.  Please get familiar with this crew!

Purchase this awesome EP on vinyl:
Collector's Edition 45 RPM Vinyl 7"

For booking inquiries:
The Soul Pros

Follow them on Facebook:
The Souls Pros Official FB Page

Enjoy,
M.G.

My reflection on Big Empty Things by Billy Pilgrim

  The highly anticipated debut by Billy Pilgrim is finally here!  When I first heard that he was working on a solo project about a year and a half ago while passing on him on Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill on crutches, my first response was one that I'm sure was shared by many, it's about fucking time!  Billy Pilgrim has been a consistent source of artistic talent and expression in Pittsburgh for many years.  A talented MC, musician, writer, poet, artist, performer and DJ, still makes me think I'm leaving out some more attributes that makes him a very unique soul.  The eight track EP titled, Big Empty Things, is now available.  I was lucky enough to have this sent to me in December to really take it in.  I am very impressed with the overall sound and feel of this album.  I'm a product of an analog world that is now being pushed away further and further with each passing year, that in this new digital era, I often find so many bodies of work to resemble each other too closely.  That's not a good thing.  As all the albums that I enjoy and take the time to share and write about, they have the special ability to have their own identity; and this EP embodies that.

   The instrumentation use of percussion really brought about a tribal feel in the intro, The Road, featuring Guitar Zak, that stayed consistent throughout the EP.  This is a very original arrangement, yet more importantly, is in Billy Pilgrim's wheel house of style.  It's a very spiritual and soothing rhythm to the album that flows into my favorite jam on track 2, Pilgrimage, featuring Unsung and Shad Ali.  I loved the choice here for these two features as all three emcee's roll off the tongue in their own talented way.  The ending verse by Shad Ali, "Aesthetically I got these stripes like a referee, cause beauty and the beast fucked and gave birth to me." was something that made me smile.  Billy takes complete lyrical command on track 3, So it Goes and showcases his ability to switch up cadence and deliver with complete control.  Track 5, The Hoek is faced paced give and take with Unsung as they go back and forth feeding off each other every couple of bars.  It reminded me of an Blackalicious Alphabet Aerobics with a partner.  Billy touches base with his spoken word skills on track 6, Sucker Punch.  It is a nice transition to tmy favorite overall song, rack 7, Melancholy Milly, which is a beautiful soul song.  It took me back to The Pharcyde, Otha Fish, on this vibe that can take your mind away.  A strong finish with track 8, Selfies at the Funeral seeps into a more serious side of Billy Pilgrim showing a no non-sense flow that wraps up this really great EP.  I thoroughly loved the ride I feel like I was taken on.  It was a beautiful blend of hip hop, soul and spoken word done with high level of artistic expression I come to expect.  I would love to see these songs performed live, which is really important to me.  I feel this was done in a way that showcased the ability without being overproduced and over synced in a studio.  This is really one that I recommend you check out.  
   The official release date is actually tomorrow, February 18.  There is an official party to celebrate at Howlers in Bloomfield tomorrow night for a $10 cover which includes a copy of Big Empty Things.  I hope you enjoy this album as much as I do and enjoy the future work of this multi-talented artist.



Enjoy,
M.G.